I hope this newsletter finds you finished with harvest and looking forward to the Holiday Season. Our thoughts at the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County have turned toward the winter meeting season and offering you the best programs possible to meet your needs. The winter meeting season is in full swing and is filling up fast. As you can see we have a lot of programs to offer here in Stephenson County and in the surrounding counties this winter.

Be sure to check out our new and improved website at http://stephenson.extension.uiuc.edu. We will continue to post upcoming events and up-to-date news releases on our website. Blank lease agreements are available for downloading. Podcasts are posted on the website that contain up-to-date market reports. There are also links to many useful University of Illinois Extension websites.

Happy Holidays from all of us here at the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County!

Nikki Keltner, Program Coordinator, Agriculture and Natural Resources (nkeltner@uiuc.edu)

Donna Johnson, Secretary III (dmjohns@uiuc.edu)

Margaret Larson, County Director (mklarson@uiuc.edu)

December 4, Stephenson County Agronomy Update, 8:30 a.m., Highland Community College, (see page 3)

December 6, Pesticide Safety Education Program, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lena Community Center, (see page 2)

December 6, Commodity Marketing Class, 7 p.m., Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building, Freeport (see page4)

December 13, Nematode Workshop, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Buck's Barn, Thomson (see page 2 )

January 15, Dairy Days, 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Highland Community College, (see page 2)

January 16, Annie's Project begins in Winnebago (see page 4)

January 8 and 14, Shepherds' Clinic Telenet, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Stephenson County Extension Office (see page 3)

January 24, Pesticide Safety Education Program, 9 a.m., First State Bank of Shannon (see page 2)

January 29, Farm Conservation Programs Telenet, 9 a.m. to Noon, Stephenson County Extension Office (see page 3)

January 31, Small Grains for Northwest Illinois Workshop, US Bank, Pecatonica, (see page 4)

February 5, Annie's Project begins in Stockton (see page 4)

February 11, Productive Pasture Management for NW Illinois, 9 a.m. to Noon, Jack's Bar and Grill, Forreston

February 12, 101 Enterprises for Your Farm, 9 a.m. to Noon at the Winnebago County Farm Bureau Building

February 21, Soil and Water Management Telenet, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building, Freeport

February 22, Invasive and Exotic Weeds and Pests, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Freeport Public Library

February 23, Joys of Gardening, Highland Community College Student Conference Center (building H), Room 201

February 25, Certified Livestock Manager Training, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building, Freeport (see page 5)

February 29, Alfalfa Production Telenet, 9 a.m. to Noon, Stephenson County Extension Office

University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County will host a pesticide safety education program clinic on Thursday, December 6, 2007, from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic taught by Extension Educators, will be followed by administration of the private applicator exam by a representative from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Once passed, a three-year certification license will be issued by the IDA upon receipt of a $20 processing fee.

The Illinois Pesticide Act requires individual farmers to become certified as a Private Pesticide Applicator in order to purchase and use restricted use pesticides (RUPs). These products will clearly state the words "Restricted Use Pesticide" on the label. Common examples include the insecticides Counter, Force, and Pounce, and the herbicides Atrazine, Gramoxone Max, and Harness.

To register for the clinic, which will be held at the Lena Community Center, 497 Lions Dr., Lena, call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125. The cost of the clinic is $30. Study materials, including a workbook and manual, can be purchased from Extension.

An additional PSEP Clinic will be held at the First State Bank in Shannon, IL on Thursday, January 24, 2008, starting at 9 a.m.

A test only session will be held at the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County Office on March 20, starting at 9 a.m. For additional dates call The University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County Office at (815) 235-4125.

Strong milk prices and continuing demands to improve productivity and efficiency emphasize the need for dairy producers to make informed management decisions. Information to assist in that process will be available at the 2008 Illinois Dairy Days, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

"The program is designed to help producers make the most of their resources and remain a productive part of the dairy industry," said Mike Hutjens, U of I Extension dairy specialist. "Each meeting will feature advice from specialists on health, management, economics, and feed strategies.

"The program has been developed to allow producers to reach optimal production and maximal profit levels from their herds."

Joining Hutjens on the program will be Dave Fischer, U of I Extension dairy educator; Jim Endress, U of I Extension farm management and dairy educator; and Dick Wallace, U of I Extension dairy veterinarian.

Dairy Days will be held in Stephenson County on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at Highland Community College, Student Conference Center (building H), Room 201. The program will run from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Commercial displays will be available. If you would like to register to attend Dairy Days in Stephenson County please call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125. The cost is $15 per person if registered by January 9, or $20 after that. Dairy Proceedings will be available for $5.

Farmers and agribusiness dealers can gain valuable information on managing nematodes in corn and soybean during a workshop on December 13. The program will be held at Buck's Barn, 5020 IL Route 84, Thomson, Illinois.

Why the concern over nematodes? Corn nematodes are the most frequently overlooked cause of corn diseases and currently, soybean cyst nematode is the most damaging soybean pest in the state. Some of the questions addressed during the workshop include: Who should be concerned about nematodes, and why? What is the life cycle and characteristics of nematodes? How do I manage and control nematodes? What are "new" strategies in nematode management?

Dr. Terry Niblack, University of Illinois Extension nematologist, will be the presenter. The workshop will include handout material, informal discussion, and the opportunity to view nematodes under a microscope. Emphasis will be placed on nematode problems and management specific to sandy soil. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and the workshop will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Continuing education units (CEU's) in integrated pest management have been applied for Certified Crop Advisers.

The cost is $20 per person if registered by December 6, or $30 per person after that. Individuals can register by contacting Carroll County Extension at (815) 244-9444.

Winter is full of crop production decisions. It can be a stressful time deciding on inputs for the coming year. To help make the decisions easier the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County is hosting an Agronomy Update.

The Agronomy Update will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2007, at the Highland Community College, Student Conference Center (building H), Room 210. Program registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. The program will run from 8:55 a.m. to Noon.

"Weed Worries: Resistance, Winter Annuals, and Viney Plants" will be presented by Dawn Nordby, Extension Specialist, Weed Science/IPM, University of Illinois Crop Science Department via teleconference. Dave Feltes, Extension Educator, IPM, University of Illinois Extension, Quad Cities Center will present "Walking, Crawling, and Flying Pickpockets!" Suzanne Bissonnette, Extension Educator, IPM, University of Illinois Extension, Champaign Center will present via teleconference "Fungicides on Corn and Soybeans: Impact or Injury!" "Putting Hybrid, Rotation, and Nitrogen Data to Work" will be presented by Jim Morrison, Extension Educator, Crop Systems, University of Illinois Extension, Rockford Center.

Please call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125 by Thursday, November 29, to register for this program. The program fee is $15 which includes handouts and refreshments. Two hours of CCA Credits have been applied for.

Through out the winter the Northwest Illinois Forage and Grassland Council will continue to host hay and straw auctions. The auctions will be held at the Orangeville Boco MiniMart parking lot on Route 26 on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays of the month beginning at 11 a.m. The last auction will take place on April 26.

Consignments should arrive by 10:30 am. It is preferred, but not required, that hay lots have a certified scale ticket on the day of the auction. This will allow hay to be sold by the ton, rather than by the bale. Straw is typically not weighed and is sold by the bale.

Quality tested hay is encouraged, and a copy of the analysis indicating at least the crude protein, fiber (acid detergent fiber and/or neutral detergent fiber) and relative feed value (RFV) or relative forage quality (RFQ) be brought with the consignment.

Hay analysis will not be provided on site. A list of forage testing laboratories is available at University of Illinois Extension offices.

There will be no consignment fee for members of the Northwestern Illinois Forage and Grassland Council. Non-members will be charged $10 and this will be collected prior to the auction. B & M Hay Auctions will retain a 6% commission fee from the sale proceeds and 3% for no-sale lots. Sellers can outline their delivery terms as in the past. A skid loader will be available for reloading hay and straw at the sale site.

Dues ($30) to the organization for the January through December year can be paid at the auctions.

Questions about the auctions can be directed to Jim McNeil, B & M Hay Auctions (608) 938-4822 or (608) 293-9999, or Don Brown, Jr. (815) 238-8372.

To help landowners and producers understand theiroptions, a Farm Conservation Programs Teleconference has been scheduled from 9 a.m. to Noon on Tuesday,January 29, 2008, at the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County Office. The purpose of the Farm Conservation Programs Teleconference is to educate agency staff and landowners about the major programs. Specifically, participants will receive updated information regarding the basic provisions, economic incentives, cost-share rates, technical support, and signup periods for the programs. Experts will be on-line to answer questions. Speakers will include FSA, SWCD, IDNR, IDOA, IEPA, and NRCS. Please call the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125 to register for this event by January 24. The cost of the clinic is $5.

The 2008 Shepherds' Clinic program via teleconference will be held Tuesday, January 8, and Monday, January 14. The program will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County. Please call the office in advance to register so adequate materials can be prepared. The cost of the clinic is $5.

The Alfalfa Production and Harvesting Workshop will be held via teleconference on Friday, February 29, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County Office. The cost of the workshop is $5. Please call in advance to register.

First Capital Ag will be presenting a Commodity Marketing Class during the coming year, sponsored by the Stephenson County Farm Bureau's Farm Business Task Force. An introduction to the course will be held on Thursday, December 6, at 7 p.m. at the Farm Bureau building, 210 W. Spring Street in Freeport. There is no cost or obligation to attend this session, in which FCA's Carl Babler and his associates will explain what will be involved in the course. The schedule includes four sessions during the winter, two next summer, and a fall wrap-up session.

For more information, contact Karen Voigts at (800) 884-8290 or Bruce Johnson at (815) 232-3186.

Farmers and agriculture dealers should mark their calendar for "Small Grains in NW Illinois – Options and Opportunities" on January 31, in Pecatonica. The program will focus on increasing the yield and profit potential of cereal crops grown for grain, forage, and cover crops.

Sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, the program will be held in the US Bank, 430 Main Street, Pecatonica. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the program is from 9:30 a.m. to Noon in the basement meeting room.

Specific topics include selecting winter wheat varieties, seeding rate, pros and cons of seed treatments, fertilization, and predicting straw yields. In addition, the economics of wheat in the rotation and accessing damage from the '07 Easter freeze will be presented. Lastly, management strategies for cereal grains grown for forage and cover crops will be shared. Production information on oats and barley will also be provided.

Leading the discussion will be Emerson Nafziger, Extension Specialist, Crop Systems, University of Illinois Crop Sciences Department and Jim Morrison, Extension Educator, Crop Systems, Rockford Center.

A $10 registration fee per person will cover handout material and refreshments. Reservations should be made by January 28, by contacting the Winnebago County Extension Office, 4311 W. State Street, Rockford, IL 61102; phone (815) 986-4357.

There will be two different opportunities to participate in Annie's Project in the area this coming year. Annie's Project is a farm business management class which provides basic information in insurance and risk management, rental and lease agreements, enterprise analysis, spreadsheets and production agriculture.

Winnebago County will be hosting their program at the Winnebago County Farm Bureau Building. The program will start on Wednesday, January 16, from 9 a.m. to Noon. The program will be held on Monday and Wednesday morning through February 4. Contact the University of Illinois Extension-Winnebago County at (815) 986-4357 for more information.

Jo Daviess County will be hosting their program at the Holy Cross Church in Stockton. The program will start on Tuesday, February 5, from 9 a.m. to Noon. It will continue on Tuesday and Friday mornings through February 22. Contact the University of Illinois Extension-Jo Daviess County at (815) 858-2273 for more information.

Sustaining Illinois Soils will be the focus of the Soil and Water Management Workshop to be offered by University of Illinois Extension-Ogle County on Tuesday, December 6, 2007. The workshop will provide 4 CEU's in soil and water management and 1 CEU in nutrient management for Certified Crop Advisors. Although CCA credit is offered, anyone interested is welcome to attend.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided for registrants. Presentations will be provided by both live speakers and through the University of Illinois teleconference system.

Topics presented will include Understanding Illinois Soils, Soils and Climate Change, Recycling Dredged Sediment for Topsoil, Phosphorous and Soils, and Soil Microbiology. Speakers will include University of Illinois specialists and Extension Educators.

Registration fee is $30 per person. For more information contact University of Illinois Extension-Ogle County at (815) 732-2191.

Master Gardener Training will be held in two locations in Northern Illinois this winter. Boone County will host Master Gardener Trainings on Thursdays staring on January 31, 2008. The training will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Illinois Extension-Boone County. Ogle County will host Master Gardener Trainings on Fridays starting on February 1, 2008. The training will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Ogle County Farm Bureau.

Trainings consist of 11 sessions. Class topics include: Botany, Soils, Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers, Trees and Shrubs, Grasses, Landscaping, Insects, and Diseases. Classes are taught by University of Illinois Specialists and Extension Educators.

Upon completion of the course, you will become a Master Gardener Intern. The Internship consists of 60 hours of volunteer work over a two-year period after which you become a Master Gardener.

Pre-registration is required and students participate in an orientation interview in advance of the class. For a registration form and more information, call University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County at (815) 235-4125.

Certified Livestock Manager Training Workshops are designed for livestock facilities designed for more than 300 animal units that need someone certified in manure handling procedures. Producers with 300-999 animal units can attend a University of Illinois Extension CLMT workshop or pass the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Certified Livestock Manager exam. Producers with over 1,000 animal units are required to do both.

Two will be held locally:

February 25, 2008, 10 a.m. (participants arriving after 10:20 a.m. cannot be certified for attending the workshop), Stephenson County Farm Bureau Building, 210 W. Spring Street, Freeport. Written Exam will be offered at 1:30 p.m. This workshop has a beef/dairy emphasis.

February 26, 2008, 8:50 a.m. (participants arriving after 9:20 a.m. cannot be certified for attending the workshop), Naaman Diehl Auditorium, Route 64 & 78, Mt Carroll. Written exam will be offered at 12:30 p.m. This workshop has a swine emphasis.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged to make sure you have the manual before the workshop. We cannot cover the entire manual in the workshop; therefore it is your responsibility to read the manual before coming to the workshop, especially if you are taking the exam. Reading the manual before the workshop will greatly improve your chances of passing the exam. The Department of Agriculture's exam questions are taken from the manual NOT from the workshop presentation.

To register and order a manual/CD, call ACES Marketing & Distribution at (800) 345-6087.

Indicate which workshop you would like to attend and if you need to order a C.L.M.T. manual (or CD). If you have a manual older than 2003, you will need a new one. Please have your credit card ready. Registration without proper remittance will not be processed.

Costs: Workshop Registration $20.00

Pre-registration costs for the workshop (including manual) $20 + $46.50= $66.50.

CLM Manual only $44.00 + $7.00 s&h CLM Manual CD only $16.00 + $4.00 s&h

CLM Manual & CD $57.00 + $7.00 s&h Workshop walk-ins $75.00 per person

**We cannot guarantee space for all walk-ins. Please Pre-register.**

Hay auction results from the past two hay and straw auctions in Orangeville, IL sponsored by the Northwest Illinois Forage and Grassland Council and supported by Extension. Thanks to Don and Sandee Brown for providing these figures.

October 27, 2007

27 large squares, 4th crop, alfalfa-grass, $53/bale

7 round bales, new seeding-stubble, $27/bale

120 small suares, 3rd crop, alfalfa, $1.50/bale

10 large squares, 1st crop, alfalfa, $47.50/bale

8 round bales, 3rd crop, alfalfa, $40/bale

32 large squares, alfalfa-grass, $51.00/bale

15 large squares, 3rd crop, alfalfa, rained on, $29.00/bale

20 large squares, alfalfa, 2nd crop, $44.00/bale

44 small squares, alfalfa, 1st crop, $1.50/bale

November 10, 2007

7 round bales, new seeding, alfalfa, $35/bale

10 large squares, 3rd crop, alfalfa, $55/bale

12 large squares, 1st crop, alfalfa, $55/bale

210 small squares, 2nd crop, alfalfa, $2.20/bale

188 small squares, 2nd crop, alfalfa, $2.20/bale

11 round bales, 1st crop, alfalfa, $30/bale

13 round bales, 1st crop, alfalfa, $29/bale

18 large squares, 3rd crop, alfalfa, $66/bale

6 round bales, 3rd crop, alfalfa, $38/bale

The next auction will be Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Boco MinMart on Route 26, Orangeville, IL

Results of the 2007 Stephenson County no-till corn plot are available at the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County Office. The plot was held at Fahr Farms in Winslow. We greatly appreciate Paul and Steve's cooperation in hosting the plot again this year.

The plot was planted May 4, and harvested November 2. Hybrids were planted at 33,000 seeds per acre in four 30-inch rows 506 feet long.Data from other Extension corn and soybean plots in the northwestern four counties is also available in our office.

We thank the seed dealers for their support and assistance in making the plot possible.

Plan to attend the Tri-State Locally Grown Conference on November 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at John Wood Community College in Quincy, IL. The conference is designed for farmers, consumers, educators and others interested in building and supporting a sustainable local food system.

The opening speaker for the conference is Rich Pirog, Associate Director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Pirog has been Program Leader for the Center's Marketing and Food Systems Initiative since 2001 and he directs the Value Chain Partnerships for a Sustainable Agriculture (VCPSA) project, a multi-organizational effort that provides technical assistance to farmer-led food, fiber, and energy businesses.Pirog's work on food miles, ecolabels, and place-based foods has been publicized in magazines and media outlets across the globe and is often cited in college courses that focus on food systems and sustainable agriculture.

Alisa Smith & J.B. MacKinnon are the co-authors of Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally and founders of the 100 Mile Diet. The Vancouver couple will present on their experiences and be available to sign books during lunch. Smith is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Outside, Utne Reader, and many other publications. McKinnon is the author of the acclaimed Dead Man in Paradise, which won the 2006 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Nonfiction. He is the winner of three national magazine awards as a freelance writer, and is a former senior editor at Adbusters. Every participant will receive a free copy of the book.

Twelve additional breakout sessions will be available throughout the day on a variety of topics targeted toward farmers, consumers and professionals who work in the food system. Speakers from all three States and Universities will present these informative sessions.

A lunch consisting of local food will be served and displays highlighting marketing tools, food system work and other interesting topics will be available.

For more information go to http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/adamsbrown/localgrown/540.html or call Carrie Edgar at (217) 223-8380.

Are the current boom times for U.S. farmers the start of a new era or merely a prelude to historical pattern ending in a bust? Answering these and other related questions will be the focus of three programs in December sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

The 2007 Illinois Farm Economic Summit, to be held December 11, in Effingham, December 12, in Bloomington, and December 13, in Sycamore, is the successor to the Farm Income Seminar series held in past years, said Paul Ellinger, U of I Extension farm finance specialist who is organizing the program.

"A question on everyone's mind is: Will the good times last?"

At each meeting, speakers from U of I Extension's farmdoc team will explore the farm profitability outlook from several perspectives.

"These include the direction of prices, new farm policies, new technology and corn and soybean yields, bio-fuels, production costs, and farm lease trends," said Ellinger. "The format will be fast-paced and allow plenty of time for questions from the audience."

Joining Ellinger on the program will be Darrel Good, Bob Hauser, Scott Irwin, Dale Lattz, Nick Paulson, and Gary Schnitkey, all from the U of I Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics and part of the farmdoc team. Todd Gleason, an Extension communications specialist, will moderate the meeting.

Registration for each location is $50 per person and includes all meeting materials, breaks, and lunch. Registration at the door will be $55 as space permits. Each meeting begins at 8 a.m. with registration and concludes at 3 p.m.

Online registration is available at farmdoc (http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu) by filling out a registration form and returning it with a check for $50 payable to the University of Illinois. Brochures and other information may be obtained by contacting Sue Esposito at (217) 333-5506. Registration brochures will also be available at the local University of Illinois Extension unit office.

The Effingham meeting will be held at the Keller Convention Center. The Interstate Center is the site of the Bloomington meeting and the Sycamore meeting will be in the Center for Agriculture.

National Expert on No-till/Strip-till to Address February 13, Northwest Illinois Tillage Seminar

Dr. Tony Vyn, a nationally-recognized agronomist and researcher from Purdue University will be the Featured Speaker at the Northwest Illinois Tillage Seminar, scheduled for Wednesday, February 13, 2008, in Rock Falls, IL. Tony has received national acclaim for his applied research associated with strip-till and no-till farming systems. Dr. Vyn's two-part presentation will focus on the following topics: Optimizing No-till/Strip-till Systems - Part 1: Rotations, Residues, and Resolutions; and Optimizing No-till/Strip-till Systems - Part 2: Automatic Guidance, Fertilizer Placement, and New Directions.

The 2008 Northwest Illinois Tillage Seminar will focus on technology and environmental stewardship associated with adopting a no-till and strip-till farming system. This sixteen-county seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13^th at the Holiday Inn, Rock Falls, IL. Directions: The Rock Falls Holiday Inn is located on the south edge of Rock Falls, IL where Exit 41 of Interestate-88, IL Route 40, and US Route 30 merge.

Jay Solomon, Engineering Technology Educator from University of Illinois Extension will provide a step-by step approach to "Selecting a Guidance System that Works for You." Doug Thompson, a Logan County Farmer with 8 year's experience with Strip-till and over 20 year's experience with No-till will share "Practical, "hands-on" Management Tips for No-till/Strip-till and Use of Autosteer." Dave Feltes, Integrated Pest Management Educator from University of Illinois Extension will discuss "Continuous Corn Disease Management for No-till Corn." Marty McManus, IL Department of Agriculture, will showcase "Cost-Share & Technical Conservation Assistance being provided to landowners by the Illinois Dept. of Agriculture." Steve Hollister, NRCS Area Agronomist will provide an overview of "What's in the 2007 Farm Bill for You? Cost-Share & Technical Conservation Assistance being provided through USDA."

The program, featuring numerous state and nationally recognized speakers, runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is co-sponsored by the multi-county conservation agencies of University of Illinois Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, NRCS, AISWCD, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Seed, chemical, machinery dealers, and other agri-businesses will be featured as exhibitors. This Tillage Seminar will provide 5 CEU's for Certified Crop Advisors.

Pre-registration is necessary and the deadline is February 6. Seating is limited so registration will be taken on a first-come basis. A $15 per person fee will be charged to cover room rental and noon luncheon. To register, include the following information with your check: Northwest Tillage Seminar, your name, address and county of residence. Please make your check payable to "University of Illinois Extension" and send to: Whiteside Extension Unit, 100 E. Knox, Morrison, IL 61270, ph. (815) 772-4075. On-line, credit card registrations can be made at this website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/whiteside/ For more information, contact Greg Clark, ph. (815) 772-4075 or Bob Frazee, U of I Natural Resources Educator, phone (309) 694-7501, Ext. 226.

For all 2008 State & County Fairs and 4-H & FFA Shows Obtain from IDOA at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid or (866) 299-9256.

Exhibitors of all livestock species, including equine, will be required to have a "Premises Registration Number" for exhibition at all 2008 State & County Fairs, as well as all 4-H & FFA Shows.

The Premises registration numbercorresponds tothe specific locationthat the animals are raised and does not have to be in the exhibitor's name. Premises registration is critical to protecting Illinois' livestock industry as it helps animal health officials minimize trace back times in the event of an animal disease outbreak.We would encourage those who do not already have a Premises number to do so at their earliest convenience. Registration is free andcan be accomplished on line at (www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid) or by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture at (866) 299-9256 for a paper form.

http://vt.cropsci.uiuc.edu/

The University of Illinois has released the 2007 results from its variety testing program for corn and soybeans. The data from these trials are available in both printed form from Extension offices and on the Internet. The soybean trials provide results from conventional varieties and Roundup resistant varieties from numerous companies in 13 locations through out the state. The corn trial compares 311 corn hybrids from 46 different seed companies. Stop by the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County to pick up a copy of the results.

January 9-10, Northern Illinois Farm Show, NIU Convocation Center, Dekalb, IL, http://www.farmshows.com/farm/index.po

January 9-10, Crop Protection Technology Conference, Illini Union, Urbana, IL, www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences

January 9-12, National No-Till Conference, Netherland Hilton Hotel, Cinncinatti, Ohio, www.notillfarmer.com

January 16, Corn and Soybean Classic, I Wireless Center (formerly the Mark), Moline, IL, www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences

January 17, Corn and Soybean Classic, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL, www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences

January 17-18, Midwest Organic Production and Marketing Conference and Trade Show, Illini Union, Urbana, IL, http://orgconf.sustainability.uiuc.edu/

January 17-19, Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (ILICA) Annual Convention, Stoney Crrek Inn, Moline, IL, www.illica.net

January 18, Corn and Soybean Classic, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL, www.ipm.uiuc.edu/conferences

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cie2/offices/calendar.cfm

To search for programs throughout the state, check out Extension's searchable calendar. Search by location, topic or date to find a program of interest to you.